With the pressure off his MK Dons side, Paul Tisdale says he and his players are looking forward to the challenge of facing Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth.

Tisdale’s side, unbeaten in their first six games of the season, face the Cherries tonight with a place in Round Three in the Carabao Cup up for grabs.

The Premier League side are heavy favourites to come out on top this evening’s and Tisdale believes that should allow his team to play with freedom.

“It’s a game we can enjoy and we should have that attitude going into it,” he told iFollow MK Dons. “That attitude should bring the best out of us, if we can get a sniff of the ball and bring our game to the evening!

“Bournemouth will be a pretty tough nut to crack. I expect Eddie [Howe] to make changes but those changes will still be very strong. We’ve got our work cut out but it’s a game for us to enjoy - let’s go and play.

“There is no need to hideaway from the challenge. We’re not going there with too many hopes of outplaying Bournemouth but any game of football is an opportunity - players have an opportunity to shine and I have an opportunity to see them continue to connect and build something.”

As well as intrigued to see how his side face up against Premier League opposition, Tisdale is also looking forward to re-acquainting himself with Eddie Howe, whom he received some kind words for.

“I’m very fond of the people at Bournemouth - I’ve known Eddie and Jason for a long time. It’s always nice to see people you admire and get on well with. We always have a chat about one or two things on the periphery of the game.”

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Can't make tonight's game? Listen to live audio commentary of the Carabao Cup Round Two tie with AFC Bournemouth on iFollow MK Dons - click HERE to sign up!